Nine Ways to Fix a House That’s Not Heating Evenly

Does your home heat unevenly? Heating unevenly happens when some rooms feel nice and cozy while others are noticeably colder. Several culprits could be to blame for this heating problem. Here, we’ll help you learn what could be causing these temperature imbalances and show you how to solve the issue.

Air Vents Aren’t Open

Your problem: Your furnace distributes warm air throughout your home using supply and return registers. If these are closed or shut, the restricted airflow creates warm and cold spots in your home.

How to fix it: Ensure all your home’s vents are unblocked, especially if some rooms feel like they aren’t getting enough heat. Then, check to make sure there aren’t any furniture, rugs or drapes obstructing airflow. If a room is too hot, make sure the registers in the other rooms are clear and feel like they are putting out a similar amount of air. If a register is clear but not a lot of air is flowing from it, there may be a problem with a control mechanism or the duct isn’t directing the air to the right place.

A Clogged Air Filter Is Straining Your HVAC System

Your problem: Your furnace air filter catches dust, pollen and other airborne particles so that your air is clean. But a clogged filter filled with these particles can significantly reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and resulting in uneven heating. If warm air can’t get through easily, rooms farther from the heat source will be colder.

How to fix it: Check and replace the air filter every 30-90 days, especially in the winter when your home’s heating system runs overtime.

There’s Not Enough Insulation in Your Home

Your problem: Inadequate home insulation lets warm air leak out, especially in rooms along outside walls or your attic. This makes certain rooms more difficult to heat, even when the rest of the home is nice and comfortable.

How to fix it: Update your attic insulation to stop heat from escaping from your home. If the material currently insulating your home is in good shape, you may be able to simply add more on top of it.

Cold Air Is Getting in Through Doors and Windows

Your problem: Single-pane windows and old, leaky doors are notorious for letting cold air into your home, cooling the indoor temperature. This problem is most often seen in older homes, which commonly have windows and doors that don’t fit as snug as they should.

How to fix it: Avoid drafts in and around doors and windows by installing weatherstripping or caulk. Heavy-duty curtains and thermal blinds also help block out the cold. When these simple fixes aren’t enough to prevent cold spots in your home, consider replacing your windows and exterior doors.

There’s a Leak in Your Air Ducts

Your problem: Ductwork transports heated air throughout your home. If an air duct has a hole, warmth can leak out before it gets to some rooms of your home.

How to fix it: Hire an HVAC professional like one of our team members at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to inspect your ductwork for breaks, which can usually be sealed with metal tape or mastic sealant. In more severe cases, you may need air duct repair.

You Need to Move Your Thermostat

Your problem: The thermostat manages the heating system throughout your home. If it’s in a cold or unusually hot spot, it may give distorted readings, causing your HVAC system to run at the wrong times—and create uneven temperatures.

How to fix it: If your thermostat is near a windy window or heat-generating appliance, you may want to move it to another area of your home. An HVAC specialist from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you move it to a more central location where it can more accurately gauge your home’s average temperature. For extra convenience, opt for a smart thermostat, which allows for remote temperature control and customized heating schedules.

Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

Your problem: A furnace that’s too small may have difficulty heating all of your residence, leaving some rooms colder than others. On the other hand, an oversized furnace often turns on and off continuously, causing temperature fluctuations and excessive wear and tear that can shorten the lifetime of your heating and air system.

How to fix it: Have a heating and cooling Expert assess the size and capacity of the furnace in your home compared to your home’s size, the climate where you live, the home’s insulation quality, windows and other factors. If your furnace is mismatched, you may opt for upgrading to the right size for better heating performance and energy efficiency.

Heat Only Reaches Some Floors of Your Home

Your problem: Heat rises, which is why the second floor of your home can be warm while the main floor is colder.

How to fix it: Zoning your heating system is a way for you to control the temperature in different rooms using multiple thermostats and ductwork valves. This way, you can direct warm air where you want.

Your Furnace Needs a Tune-Up From a Pro

Your problem: Like any appliance, your furnace needs regular checkups to work smoothly. Without routine care, your HVAC system may end up with issues that reduce efficiency and stop it from heating your home evenly.

How to fix it: Schedule professional maintenance for your furnace annually—if possible in the fall before the heating season starts. Regular maintenance also helps spot and fix issues before they cause potentially costly performance issues or major breakdowns.

Call the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Furnace Service in the U.S.

No one likes to be in a ice-cold room. If one of these simple fixes doesn’t solve the issue, count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to get the job done right. Our ACE-certified technicians provide fast, trustworthy solutions to all your comfort needs backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Don’t let another cold spot get you down—call 866-397-3787 today to schedule the U.S. furnace services with the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.